Multiple army sources who all spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue said that the officers included those stationed in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and other parts of the country.

The message was delivered last week to Bashir and Hussein during their briefing sessions with SAF senior army officers who listened to the pair calling on them to prepare for the possibility of a full-scale war with South Sudan.

But the sources said that the SAF officers at the briefing were all but appalled at the prospects of heading to war with Sudan’s southern neighbour given the state of the military at this point.

The Sudanese army has been battling rebels from the Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) in the two states since June 2011 in South Kordofan and September 2011 in Blue Nile. Khartoum persistently accuses Juba of providing aid to the rebels but South Sudan routinely denies the charge.

This week the second vice-president of Sudan, Al-Haj Adam Youssef was quoted by local media as threatening to go after SPLM-N rebels even if they had to go all the way to Juba.

“If necessary, Juba is not far,” he told a newspaper during celebrations of Sudan’s independence in the central state of Al-Jezira.

SAF needs “tremendously huge efforts” in order to prepare for future dangers particularly at a time when there is talk about foreign intervention, Bashir and Hussein were told.

The officers also urged Bashir and Hussein combat “rampant” corruption within the army and gave an example of 200 battle tanks that were bought in early 2010 but most of it turned out to be defective and a large number had to be sent to neighbouring countries for repairs.

They noted that several senior officers objected to the “subpar deal” involving these tanks before they were bought which led to the sacking of Hussein’s chief secretary Major General Al-Na’eem Khidir and other senior officers including Major General Ahmed Abdoon who headed the Nyala army division and Major General Al-Tayeb Mosbah of El-Fasher army division.

The SAF officers also implored Bashir and Hussein to implement segregation between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the army so that the latter does not shoulder the mistakes of the NCP and become vulnerable to volatility of the Sudanese politics.

Furthermore, they said that is imperative that the system of government be reformed because the status quo jeopardises the country’s national security.

One of the sources underscored that the current political climate in the form of tensions between the Islamists and the NCP has spread into the army but declined to provide details.

He described Bashir and Hussein as "rattled" by the officers’ complaints.

Eric Reeves, a researcher at Smith College who writes extensively on Sudan, believes oil is a major factor in this move.

"This may well be a dismayed response to the clear possibility that Khartoum never wanted to make a deal about oil revenues with Juba. Rather, the goal was to create a casus belli, by which the army would seize the oil regions of the South and restore all oil revenues to a northern economy that continues in a politically dangerous tailspin" he said.

This month a number of memos have surfaced allegedly sent by the Islamist base calling on the NCP to implement political reforms and fight corruption.

One of them was presented in late 2011 by Bashir’s adviser Ghazi Salah al-Deen in his capacity as the leader of the NCP parliamentary bloc.

The Sudanese president responded vaguely to some of the demands contained in Ghazi’s memo while saying that it is “premature” to address the others.

Since then, Sudan’s oil revenues, which used to make up 90 percent of the country’s exports and were the main source of hard currency inflows, have largely dried up.

The government has already banned many imported items to preserve its foreign currency supply.

The Sudanese pound lost a significant amount of its value against the dollar as a result and the black market has flourished despite government warnings.

Khartoum is trying to walk the fine line between the need to cut government spending and cutting subsidies on basic goods and petroleum products which they fear might trigger social unrest.

Last year the governor of Sudan’s central bank Mohamed Khair al-Zubeir said that fuel subsidies need to be removed because they are a huge burden on the economy.

"Subsidies are a big burden for the state. The biggest subsidy is for fuel," al-Zubeir said, adding that a barrel of fuel was sold locally at $60 compared to a market price of $100.

"So far we didn’t notice the difference, subsidies were no problem because the country had oil ... [but] we cannot pay this any more," he added.

The landlocked South Sudan has been in talks with Khartoum on the fair fee that should be assessed for using the north’s refineries and pipelines. It has been reported that Sudan asked for $32 per barrel for the service, something which South Sudan vehemently rejected saying it is excessive compared to international norms.

Sudan retaliated to the slow pace of talks and decided to seize part of South Sudan’s oil as payment in kind for the exporting service. Juba responded by shutting down its oil production.

(ST)

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30 January 2012 04:33, by Snipper

Hahahah unless you attack us from all the corners of south sudan otherwise your days are gone. Join Taylor and Bemba.

We urge all arabs in Khartoum not to sit down and allow their potential current and future revenue slide to Kenyan hands while watching! It will be most regretable scenario!!

Mr. Corrector, With all due respect, you’re a total buffoon. If you are rooting for war, be-careful the majority of your population is in the big cities and they can be erased.South Sudan never had the army, but you people did not win the civil war.How do you figure you will win this time, due!. Marriages/sex between cousins and nephews in the north Sudan is inbreeding and you people need stop it.

Its always amusing seeing the logic of some people here. I wish i can give you crayons and little toys to watch you kids play. Im not rooting for war, anyone who read my posts would have known that. That said, we are not afraid. You guys need to stop having sex with animals too and need to stop asap.. everyone got problems i guess

With such blatant evidence, its amazing that those racist Shimaleen bigots will still come on here with blind loyalty for the NCP, insult the great Africans of Sudan in the name of their fake quest of Arabism. lol

SAF = Pussycats, are not ready for the SRF, how can they even begin to challenge an army of another state. SAF has never been to war except with its own citizens. PATHETIC

It should be better for some sissy I read theirs comments above to be rather ladies so they maybe busy home than having no time for public issue, as long we don’t allow them to venture. And when it’s bedtime, it’s time for blundering then. But when it’s time 4 arabs it’s time for deal. thank you sissy.

To these Sudanese courageous officers
We the people of Republic of south Sudan always considered the people of the north as brothers not enemies but your politician are the one who lodge hatred among citizen, this is causes of the wars which started 1956-1972 then inactive cold war continuo from 1972-1982 then another active war started 1983-2005,

regrettably these regimes has never learnt are proceeding with the same errors while are getting aggressively toward endless wars, creating anxiety societies believing antagonism, enmity a way to resolute issues, it’s becomes a culture to both side of Sudan , as a result you the military society are the one who paid decisive price ever since .

We the people of the south Sudan do knowing one day people of concern will ascend to the surface and put an end to these” regimes” and convey prosperity to the people of the north, we hope the movement start now , let go we all behind you

Mr. John Agoet
you are right in description of cold war and active wars in Sudan. You are also right in your statement that politician are the cultivators of hatred in Sudan. Mind you that South Sudan will experience the fate of political turmoil. Learn this, In politics, you either agree or disagree with you opponents. Political disagreement can sometime result into arm conflict as it is in sudan

You’re confused, my friend. The fact that they did not support Bashir’s belief in the need for war does not mean they do not disapprove of it completely. The officers wish to divert ALL their attention towards South Sudan if a war was to break-out. In the mean-time, they are encouraging Bashir to first deal with currently outstanding issues (SPLM-N rebel forces) before declaring war on the South.

my dear fellow, i would like to tell you that it will take 50years to complete SPLA-North, then you have to prepare to south sudan, mind you before complete SPLA-North you should not tempt south sudan it will look like they are digging thier own grave.

Nuer one
Are you out of your mind? Since when did your army unite? How many rebels group are there in South Sudan? Did you forget that in 1991, Nuer withdrew their support from SPLA/SPLM and joint Khartoum government with the so call Vice President in South? Nuer one you better shut up your mouth and let other people speak of SPLA unity. When I see a Nuerman talking about the unity I just laugh.

I know how foolish Bashir is but if he tries, it will be his end like gadaffi devil dog. It is not allowed by any law to invade another country. It may be just like what happened to Saddam when he tried to invade Kuwait. It may only take 15 days to kill Bashir by NATO strike even before South Army could get there. Bashir is also wanted by ICC. You fucken Bashir, don’t rush fast to your grave, fool

I think guys arabs are right to declare war with s SUDAN cose most of our guys are greedy to take money,tribolic conflict is very rampant like as 72 died recently with in south,so they have hope that trible conflict will hinder others operation,so dear S SUDANESE am appealing to all tribe our fighting is internal,let’s us see external problem then after that u come and set again on table as bros.

Thank to the army officer u r respecting human life is very importance,but OMAR AND DEFEND MINISTER Doesn’t care of other’s people life becausethey have no children to died in the war nor relative,so they are using you North,NORTH NORTH NORTH watch out,this is not southern sudan of eighters takecare,let me tell u,gadaref,eastern suda,darfur,Blue nile,Kordufan,SOUTHERN SUDAN,war will spark up to

This white falsehood is art work of the so-called SPLA/M-N!!
It’s aimed to create a false impression that SAF is not prepared or well-equipped to defend Sudan! Please don’t feed us with your nonsenses! Because our brains are bigger than that misleading report of yours!

SSLA Supporter, you got it all! How could an army ask 2 officers to prepare for a war?! This is typical Sudan Tribune propoganda! It is not white lie , it is a black lie and cheap propoganda!SAF had withdraw from SS peacefully, why should it go again to wage a war!

HAHA, TYPICAL MOHAMMED AND SSLA/MONEY SUPPORTER! IS IT A WHITE OR BLACK LIE AS YOU GUYS PUT WHEN THERE ARE DIRECT QUOTES IN THE ARTICLE, COMING FROM THE SO CALLED SAF’S COMMANDERS/OFFICERS THEMSELVES?
WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE EVER COME TO YOUR SENSES AND ACCEPT REALITY? I THOUGHT U GUYS WOULD LEARNT FROM GADAFI’S FATE BUT IT’S VERY UNFORTUNATE TO STILL SEE U BEHAVE LIKE THIS AT THIS VERY MOMENT.

Well-done issue and for the South-Sudan to acknowledge in full this Crime act Against South Oil. North Blinding Interest of Lost Economy Revenues. Criminal El Bashir attempt of Calling His Gangster regime, and gangster are already corrupted in their Combat unit. Does criminal el bashir Wage Atrocity death of Economies in Khartoum against South Sudan. Juba must wake up for wait action on NCP.

Well-done issue and for the South-Sudan to acknowledge in full this Crime act Against South Oil. North Blinding Interest of Lost Economy Revenues. Criminal El Bashir attempt of Calling His Gangster regime, and gangster are already corrupted in their Combat unit. Does criminal el bashir Wage Atrocity death of Economies in Khartoum against South Sudan. Juba must wake up for wait action on NCP

ahaha oil has gone with South so Khartoum is about commit a suicide. what acountry... lets them call for the war and all African in Sudan as whole will see were Arabs will headed to. I bet North sudan will soon be free from Arabs period.

Well-done issue and for the South-Sudan to acknowledge in full, this Crime act Against South Oil. North Blind Interest of Lost Economy Revenues. Crime El Bashir attempt of Calling His Gang and gang are already corrupt in the Combat unit. Does criminal el bashir Wag Atrocity death of Economies in Khartoum against Sudan himself. Juba must wake up for waiting action on Khartoum robust gangster

No way out, either be captured and kill like Cadhafi, Bashir is thinking of committing a suicide by trying to bring war to us, didn’t he has plenty of it in South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur?, so he want to fight four fronts, that is good, this will be another mad dog in mid and east Africa.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise since South Sudan departure. Recently two governors’ complained that their states have not received money from the central government in Khartoum. They even warned of possibly taking the actions into their own hands. An example is a refusal of one governor of a newly established state in Darfur. This is just a tip of what is about to exploit.

Those 700 army officers are very smart. The arrogantness by NCP saying, Juba is not too far to reach. Put in mine that, Sudan is not one nation and if Khartoum thought they got power to violate international law that will be the last and ned of Omar al Bashir. You guys must learn from Saddam Hussein when he attacked Kuwait nation in 1991 which result punishment to Iraq nation. in all Omar is guilt

Dear brothers inthe khartoum am tell you that, people you are delilne war against them are the same people fought with Arabs immigrants since 1955-2005 which is half of century(50years)my urgement is that is okey to see them starting it. they will see what will happen to saf? saf will perish and Bashir will not like it.

Bashir is not that stupid 2 try 2 go 2 war with S Sudan now.They are just terrorize us so they can get better deal of our oil, everyone of them talking about war even those never been in military before talking about Juba is not far. war took many years in S Sudan because darfurian and Nubian used 2 fight 4 them. If they try 2 go 2 war now that will be end of them and they know it-

SAF are not as stupid as SPLA. They ALL know including these hypothetical 700 officers ST is making up. That any war with the south is no different and part of the war the US/NATO are preparing for and so SAF and Sudan can not avoid it. ST trying to destroy SAF and sudanese moral by writing this propaganda is the lowest form of jounalism.

we have defeated you since we were in the bush...handing you more than 600 prissioners of war alone can show that we are orgaanised than you terorist...again it can show your weaknesses...leave alone of your being our market of heavy tanks and other weapons we used to cupture from you...you are only army of captain majit..jere jere..runing runing...no prissioners of war this time

Wow that’s unbelieveable for such kind of greedness that President Bashir have demanded,Khartoum is really winding down economically.but wagging war against the South for it’s oil will make you lose your own life,South Sudan cannot be frightened any longer nor will we allow any intimidation from you no more.oil is located in our land and it will always remain in our land.

This is all propaganda made somehow by the US and CIA and we all know that. The US/Nato wants to invade sudan to make it weaker and on the same time make Egypt weaker to save Israel. The US doesn’t care about the south they only use it to make things easier and soon the south will realise. Think about it. everyday tribal conflict in south, what did the US do about it?

NORTHERN SUDAN........is still yet very earlier 4you to 4get us..... may be you are a type of people that were beating a drum of war from khartoum then sorry.....ITIS WE LATUKA...TOPOSA...ACHOLI...BARI...DINKAS...NUER etc. that are your CIA...US...NATO...ISRAEL...UK...dont blem those countries 4nothing...you are trying divert the attension of the world...but no way at all

What has crippled sudan?
The ungodly idolatory, ancestral spirit and curse.
Selfish and ungodly leaders,
Another major problem in sudan has been bad leadership with many of her leaders having their mentalities and inner configurations shape by war, greed, corrution and ignorances. Oh whatever warn him support him we’re ready for you and those behind.

President Omer Hassan and Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein are idiot and they will eventually try to invade South oneday, but will fail to win their war. The full SPLA force will drive them way and the Darfur rebells will take care of the remaining business. I mean the remaining busines to clean up all light brown skins Sudanese who call themselves Arab.

Why should SAF invade S.sudan? There is nothing to gain from it. Slowly people in the north are begining to feel the benifits of the seccesion of the south. Economically Sudan is suffering but this is only temporarly and Sudan will come out stronger at the end of the day.

Sudan is among the countries having large size of army but it is the most weakest of all. What they usually do is: they hires foreign sky jet fighters to bombs us everyday but they are even Omer himself knows this. That’s why you can find many fake generals in rural and remote areas from Khartoum like Darfur, Suokin in Eastern Sudan etc in SAF Uniform. SAF doesnt have powers to confront South Suda

WAD BELED you are rihgt but itis not you murderer fake araaaabs that is going to enjoy it...have you 4goten NUBA..DARFUR..BLUE NILE that you have comitted atrocity again them????????????genocide...raping...ethnic cleancing..HOW CAN YOU ESCAPE AWAY OF ALL THESE????sleep but dont 4get dreaming of vice-visa of the same to you...

There is propaganda in this article. Millitants are govern by Martial law. The work of the army is to listen to the command and orders and depend the nation and protect government interest. If 700 army officers delivered this partition to NCP then they are wrong and should be tried according the martial law of sudan. If it is true, then the army is planning a coup detat or it is out of control.

abdala bin so.I agree with you but i want you to know some thing...how can your army abide the law and orders that force them to go and kill...distroy and throw thier own children on fire? It is not the cue my friend... It is all about that they have discover the lies...how can you talk about orders while there is no constitution that protect their rihgt...itis how terorist used are...DEATH TO YO

"no incomprehensible comments" is one of the rules introduced by Sudan Tribune. I felt excited & hoped the rule would relieve us the readers from poorly punctuated comments & broken English always used on this website.
Sudan Tribune, kindly enforce these marvelous rules.

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